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PORTRAITS. 

Col. William A. Gaston - - - - - Frontispiece 

Hon. Ginery Twichell - - - - - Page 11 

George H. Ellis - - - - - - Page IS 

Austin F. Adams - - <,'- - - - Page 16 

Hon. George M. Buttrick - - -, ' - - Page 18 

James W. Jenkins, Jr. - - - - . - . ' Page 21 

Harry Worcester Smith - - - - - Page 26 



THE WORCESTER COUNTY WEST 
AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY 



A BRIEF HISTORY 



OF THE 



BARRE CATTLE SHOWS 



BY JOSEPH E. WOODS 

BARRE, MASS. 

August, 19 14. 



PRINTED AT WORCESTER, MASS., BY THE SKELLEY PRINT 
1914 



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t?A°\ 



COPYRIGHT, 1914 

BY 

JOSEPH E. WOODS 



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©CI.A3S022S 

■ 



SEP -3 1914 




COL. WILLIAM A. GASTON, of Boston 
President, 1912-1913-1914. 



TO BEGIN WITH: 

BARRE is a pretty good place to come to about Cattle Show time. 
Independent of the exhibits and varied attractions and excite- 
ments on the Fair Grounds, there are many unusual and interesting 
things to be seen. 

There is the Rocking Stone, for instance, a surprising natural 
phenomenon, where two great boulders are so delicately poised one 
upon the other, with so small a point of contact with the imbedded 
stone beneath, that, it is said, in times past, they actually were rocked 
by the wind or by the pressure of a child's hand, and yet so firmly 
fixed that forty yoke of oxen could not dislodge them. 

From certain points of view these stones resemble a gigantic old- 
fashioned cradle with its hood. When visited by that distinguished 
scientist, Professor Louis Agassiz, more than sixty years ago, he said 
it might have been a cradle of the Titans, but surely was deposited 
there by the enormous glaciers which covered this part of the country 
in by-gone ages. Similar rock is found only in the valley of the St. 
Lawrence. This curiosity is reached by a delightfully picturesque 
carriage drive, or by automobile, scarcely three miles west of the 
village. 

About the same distance due north is the splendid new Manor 
House of Col. William A. Gaston, the President of the Society, in the 
midst of the thousand or more broad and fertile acres of Killingly 
Farm. From the hill-top here may be seen great mountains, Monad- 
nock, Mount Tom, Greylock, and, on a particularly clear day, the 
Presidential Range, to say nothing of the nearer Wachusett. 

An easy drive to the east part of the town brings one to the 
covered bridge, which is rated as one of the half dozen survivors of this 
sort of bridge architecture once common in New England. It is 
noted for the solidity of its construction and has withstood tornadoes 
which uprooted great trees, besides the annual freshets of more than 
seventy years. The bridge spans the Ware River at its confluence with 
the Burnshirt and is near the final resting place of the great philan- 
thropist, Jacob A. Riis. 

Also near the bridge is the first framed house built in Barre. 



THE CAVE DWELLER— THE END OF SLAVERY. 



Prior to the building of this house, nearly two hundred years ago, 
the white pioneer lived alone through the winter under the shelter 
of a shelving rock and the cave still exhibits quite commodious quar- 
ters. The old house was wonderfully well built, of hewn timbers 
fastened together with treenails, the shingles, also hand hewn, held 
by hand-wrought nails, a few of which the present tenants are will- 
ing to dispose of as souvenirs, for a consideration. The chimney of 
imported brick is more than twelve feet square at the base and the 
many large open fireplaces give an air of comfort to the spacious 
rooms. On the farm here is shown a large pit wherein were buried 
forty head of cattle which had been killed by a wolf which came out 
of the adjoining forest. The wolf in his turn was slain by one of the 
faithful slaves of the pioneer. This may have been the same slave 
who was purchased when an infant by his owner at the rate of a shil- 
ling a pound, the bill amounting to twenty shillings, or it may have 
been the other who stood by his master's side one Sunday afternoon 
in July, 1763, where they had taken refuge under a tree from a 
sudden shower. The master was instantly killed by lightning and 
the slave crawled home with a brokon thigh to tell the tale. A stone 
was erected at the time in the pasture to mark the fatal spot and the 
ancient inscription on it has only this year been partially deciphered. 

The slave had been promised his freedom by his master and again 
by his master's widow, but was still held in bondage by the latter's 
second husband until the decision of the Supreme Court of Massachu- 
setts affirmed that, by the opening phrase of the bill of rights, All 
men are born free and equal," slavery was forever abolished, and the 
name of Quorck Walker comes down in history as that of the last slave 
held in the Commonwealth. 

A mile or so beyond the old house is a wonderful gorge through 
which the Ware River turns around upon itself, describing almost a 
complete circle in the course of which it falls nearly a hundred feet, 
boiling and tumbling in a cataract which, had it been in Switzerland, 
would be world-famous. Northeasterly may be traced the site of the 
old Reservoir, whose bursting dam came near spoiling a Cattle Show 
some half century ago. The little Prince River which now meanders 
peacefully through the valley, turning a mill wheel now and then on its 
way, became a raging torrent, and every dam and bridge in its course 
was swept away in the night between the two days of the Fair, thus 



BARRE FALLS AND THE FACTORIES. 



cutting off the fair grounds from the village. Only by the greatest 
energy of the townspeople were the many visitors got across by ford 
and ferry and the sports of the second day were not interrupted. 

Near the village, about ten minutes' walk from the hotels is a 
picturesque glen, known also as Barre Falls, although generations 
have endeavored vainly to call it Glen Falls, to distinguish it from 
the mightier cataract in the east part of the town. Here Dick Brook 
tumbles over rocky ledges between precipices in a most exciting man- 
ner. The surroundings have been made comfortable and convenient by 
the owner, County Commissioner George W. Cook. 

To the south of Barre are the mills of the Barre Wool Combing 
Company, which are said to be exceeded in capacity by only one 
similar concern in America. Here may be seen the people of three 
nationalities working harmoniously for their employer (himself an 
Englishman) but living in separate communities. The Italian quar- 
ter and the Lithuanian quarter have their different characteristics and 
the pretty English village on the hill-top seems like the dear old 
country itself. The popular game here is cricket and not base ball. 
The swarming children are fast becoming Americanized, however, 
in the fine new school the town has built for them. It is not 
uncommon to find a boy or girl often or twelve who can speak fluently 
four languages. 

The road from the factory village to Barre Plains follows the line 
of the canal opened more than a century ago, and at the Plains may 
be found descendants of the early settlers who discovered the peculiar 
virtues of the water of the Ware River, which has a chemical quality 
especially adapting it to cleansing wool of its impurities. 

In the other direction one sees the pretty village of Smithsville, 
now re-christened White Valley. Here the grandfather of Harry 
Worcester Smith made cotton cloth and a fortune with American 
labor. He took as a wife, from West Boylston, Clarisa Worcester, 
and named the eldest son, father of the Worcester sportsman, Charles 
Worcester Smith. 

Many have spoken of the majestic pine trees with white trunks 
scattered about the little mill village and intruding on the roadway, 
and it is interesting to note that some 60 years ago, on account of 
their size and proximity to the road, they were ordered to be cut 
down by the Selectmen, endangering as they did, traffic at night. 



V 



CHEESES AND GRAVESTONES. 



John Smith saved them for his descendants by guaranteeing to keep 
them painted white 15 feet from the ground up, and this agreement 
has been rigidly adhered to by his sons and the present owners of 
the property. 

In the westerly part of the town lie the spacious farms of George 
H. Ellis, the Legislator and former President of the Society. He has 
there united a dozen or so of the old dairy farms, which once produced 
the choicest cheeses, and now under the sweet Indian name of Wau- 
winnet bring into condition his famous herd of Jerseys which supply 
milk and cream for the Boston aristocracy. There are many other 
farms and at some of them are still preserved the milk room and curi- 
ous instruments for making the cheeses for which Barre was once 
renowned. 

It may not seem gracious to invite the visitors to the burial 
grounds, but some of the twenty odd with which the town is blessed 
present features of interest. Near the Ellis mansion (which was once 
the home of Squire David Lee where he entertained Daniel Webster 
in 1840) is the Lee Cemetery wherein is the fine and costly monu- 
ment to General Samuel Lee, who served under Washington through- 
out the Revolution, even to the surrender at Yorktown. He was an 
ancestor of Col. Henry Lee, founder of the Boston banking house. In 
the South Yard, so called, nearly opposite the Stetson Home for boys 
(which is well worth seeing) besides the massive tomb of Col. Buck- 
minster who fought at Bunker Hill, is the simple gravestone of Mrs. 
Lydia Burnet. 

"The first consort of Noah Ripley by whom she had 8 sons and 11 daughters, 
17 of whom lived to have families. Her living descendants at her death, at the 
age of 91, numbered 97 grandchildren and 106 great grandchildren." 

Among these children was the Rev. Dr. Ezra Ripley, who 
preached in Concord for 63 years, and the Rev. Lincoln Ripley, who 
preached in Waterford, Maine, for 59 years, and Deacon Noa Ripley, 
who was deacon of the first Church in Barre for more than 50 years. 
All of these sons and many of the daughters lived beyond 90 years. 

There are many other graveyards with stones of the eighteenth 

century, many Revolutionary heroes and so many graves of veterans 

of the Civil War, that after Memorial Day each year the little flags 

seem 

"Thick as autumnal leaves that strow the brooks in Vallombrosa." 



THE ROADS, THE GAME AND THE TAVERNS. 7 

All the roads about Barre are good; many of them finely shaded; 
there are frequent babbling brooks and pretty little ponds and from 
every hill-top ever varying views of mountain and valley. It is pleas- 
anter, in these excursions, to drive a good horse than a motor, for 
then you may catch a glimpse of the foxes which have been educated 
to elude the Brunswick Fox hounds but are all too familiar with the 
farmers' hen roosts. Small herds of deer are often seen and, out of 
the hunting season, are surprisingly tame. 

There are two good hotels on Barre Common and others at South 
Barre and Barre Plains and plenty of good vehicles, either horse-drawn 
or automatic, to be had for the hiring. 



HISTORY. 

The Massachusetts Society for Promoting Agriculture was in- 
corporated in 1792 and was the first organization for this object in 
the State. This society still maintains its organization and is rep- 
resented upon the Board of Agriculture, although it holds no annual 
exhibition and of course receives no bounty. The Society is now rep- 
resented on the Board by Mr. N. I. Bowditch of Framingham, Pres- 
ident of the Brunswick Fox Hound Club, which for several years has 
held its Annual Meet and competition for fox hounds in Barre. 

The system of annual bounties given by the State to Agricul- 
tural Societies under certain restrictions was enacted in 1818 by 
Chapter 114 of the Acts of that year, approved February 19, 1819. 

The interest thus stimulated led to the formation of numerous 
societies, but Cattle Shows were held under the management of self- 
appointed committees without formal organization. Of these the 
earliest recorded in this neighborhood seems to have occurred at 
Hardwick*, where at least four annual" shows were held prior to the 
first one held in Barre in 1833. From that date up to 1851 the shows 
held were somewhat irregular and no exact records of them can be given. 

On January 22, 1851, at a gathering of gentlemen from Barre, 
Hardwick, Hubbardston, Oakham, New Braintree, Petersham, Athol, 
Dana and Phillipston, it was voted to apply for an act of incorpora- 
tion and a committee of three persons from each of the nine towns 
was chosen to select members for the new society. The petition for 

*In the History of Hardwick by Lucius R. Paige published in 1883 on page 
49 , it is recorded that through the influence of Timothy Ruggles in 1 762 " Hard- 
wick was distinguished above other towns in the Province by the establishment 
there of a Fair after the English pattern. This Fair was considered so impor- 
tant, and of so great public interest, that its cccurrence was duly predicted by 
the almanacs of that day, and 'Hardwick Fair' has as conspicuous a notice as 
'General Election' or 'Commencement at Cambridge.' It attracted public at- 
tention and multitudes flocked to it from all the region round about. It was 
holden twice a year in May and October, when cattle and various articles of 
manufacture were exhibited, bought and sold." 

The Fair was discontinued in 1865 by vote of the town, probably because 
of the intense political excitement which then prevailed. After peace was de- 
clared, the General Court twice refused the petition of the town for re-estab- 
lishment of the Fair. This ancient ante-Revolutionary Fair seems to have little 
if any relation to the modern Cattle Shows held in Hardwick 60 years later. 



THE FIRST CATTLE SHOW 



a charter was granted May 24, 1851, and the incorporators named in 
the act were William Parkhurst of Petersham, Joseph Bowman of 
New Braintree, Samuel Mixter of Hardwick, Peter Harwood and P. 
Emory Aldrich of Barre, their associates and successors and the 
society was given the name The Worcester County West Agricul- 
tural Society." The act of incorporation was signed by Nathaniel P. 
Banks, Speaker of the House of Representatives (afterwards Governor 
and Major General of Volunteers in the Civil War), Henry Wilson, 
President of the Senate (afterwards Vice-President of the United 
States) and George S. Boutwell, Governor. 

It was at first intended that the Annual Cattle Shows and Fairs 
should be held in rotation in each of the nine towns, but the choice 
for first place luckily falling upon Barre, the very simple difficulty of 
the cost of moving the cattle pens from one town to another was 
sufficient to establish this town as the permanent location. 

The first Cattle Show of the new society was held on Barre Com- 
mon in October, 1851, and in a letter, which has fortunately been pre- 
served, the story is told of the manner in which the date for future 
shows was fixed. This letter is dated December 30, 1851, and is from 
John W. Lincoln, Esq., of Worcester (a brother of Ex-Governor Levi 
Lincoln and sheriff of the county) to P. Emory Aldrich, Esq., (after- 
wards justice of the Superior Court) and relates the proceedings of a 
convention of the several agricultural societies by their delegates held 
in Boston, March 20, at which it voted the formation of a central 
Board of Agriculture. This Board at a meeting in September follow- 
ing recommended that the several societies arrange their shows so as 
to better accommodate the public, and allotted to the Worcester West 
the last Thursday in September, which date, with the addition of 
the Friday following, has been maintained ever since. 

The Secretary's report of the first Fair in 1851, in the hand- writ- 
ing of the late Dr. Joseph N. Bates, is preserved in the library of the 
State Board of Agriculture at Boston. In it he mentions the address 
delivered on that occasion by William S. King, Esq., editor of the 
Journal of Agriculture. 

The State Board of Agriculture was established by Chapter 142 
of the Acts of 1852 and the first report of its proceedings collected 
and prepared by Amasa Walker, Secretary pro tern." appears in a 
volume which also contains the "Transactions" of the fourteen societies 
then represented, including the Worcester West. In this report is 



10 FAMOUS SPEAKERS— THE COMMON ABANDONED 



mentioned an "able address" by Hon. Amasa Walker and a "very 
interesting address" by Francis Brewer, Esq. This volume, contain- 
ing the only report known to exist of the Second Cattle Show of the 
Society in Barre, is a very rare document and, by the courtsey of P. 
Mirick Harwood, it may now be found in the town library of Barre. 

In 1853 the Society began publishing in pamphlet form annual 
reports of its transactions. There appears to be no complete collec- 
tion of these reports; that in the town library is meagre and frag- 
mentary; the nearest approach to a perfect collection is preserved by 
Mr. Austin F. Adams, for four years President of the Society. 

In the early days of the Society the annual dinner was more of 
a ceremonial function than in later years, and was usually accompanied 
by an address from some distinguished person. 

The first printed report in 1853 gives the style of the Society as 
the "Worcester West" and contains in full the address of Prof. William 
C. Fowler of Amherst. In 1854 the Society listened to an interest- 
ing address from Hon. John P. Hale, "which the want of courtesy of 
some newspaper reporters prevents us from publishing." In 1855 
Hon. George S. Boutwell addressed the Society, but his speech was 
published in the transactions of the Franklin County Society. In 
1859 the address of Dr. George B. Loring of Salem is printed in full. 
In 1861 the address is published of Hon. Henry Chapin and in 1864, 
the address of Hon. Emory Washburn. 

The early fairs of the Society were held on Barre Common with 
the Town Hall used for the indoor exhibits. Partly owing to com- 
plaints that the use of the Common for speeding of horses and other 
features interfered with its legitimate use, the Society purchased in 
1 865 the farm of Jason Desper on a part of which the grounds are now 
located. 

The incident which stirred up the Society to acquire grounds of 
its own for its exhibition is related by two eye witnesses of the affair 
as follows: It occured probably in 1864. J. Edwin Smith was the 
chief marshal of the day and among his assistants was Moses Ruggles, 
who was a very handsome man and an accomplished horseman. A 
man from Spencer persisted in crowding himself through the by- 
standers on to the roadway in front of the Massasoit House, which 
had been reserved for speeding horses. Mr. Ruggles, having several 
times warned him back without effect, then proceeded to back his horse, 
a splendid dapple grey animal, against the intruder. The Spencer 




HON. GINERY TWICHELL, M.C.,of Brookline 
President, 1874-1875-1876-1877 



ADIRONDACK MURRAY 11 

man thereupon siezed Mr. Ruggles by the leg and dragged him off the 
horse. Daniel Cummings, then deputy sheriff, arrested the man and 
he was placed in the lock-up, but the trial justice before whom com- 
plaint was brought ruled that the man had a right upon the public 
highway and ordered his release. The Spencer man then complained 
of the officers for false arrest. This case, being beyond the jurisdic- 
tion of the local trial justice, was taken to Worcester and there the 
Spencer man was awarded damages of $100 each against the marshal 
and the sheriff. J. Edwin Smith, in his usual open-handed way, paid 
the fines rather than have the officers suffer for obedience to his orders, 
but the Society determined that the Common was no longer a safe 
place for a horse trot. 

In 1865, at the first fair on the Society's own grounds, the address 
of Hon. Oliver Warner of Northampton, for 18 years Secretary of 
State, is also printed in full. In 1867 Hon. Simon Brown gave a prac- 
tical address. In 1869 the Trustees report that the Society was 
most highly favored," for that year Hon. Ginery Twichell drove up 
from Worcester the old Concord coach loaded with notables, including 
Governor Claflin, Judge Thomas Russell, then Collector of the Port 
of Boston, Hon. Oliver Warner, John B. Gough, the famous temper- 
ance lecturer, Albert Alden, E. W. Kingsley and the famous sporting 
parson of Park Street Church, Rev. W. H. H. Murray. The addresses 
at the dinner were brilliant with wit and Mr. Murray stayed over 
to the second day to witness the horse racing. In 1871 the trustees 
record the fact that W. H. Bowker has finished his course of four 
years at the Amherst Agricultural College, for which the Society paid, 
in a manner highly creditable to himself." 

In 1872 Rev. Mr. Murray came again and not only contributed 
greatly to the intellectual exercises on the first day of the exhibition, 
but gave an interesting and valuable address on The Horse" on the 
evening of the second day. 

In 1873 the Society adopted resolutions showing respect and 
honor upon the death of Prof. Louis J. R. Agassiz. 

In 1878 the trustees in accordance with a vote of the Society 
inaugurated a series of Institutes, so called, which were a great suc- 
cess. These affairs beginning January 1 1 , were held once in two weeks 
until early spring. Three were held in Barre, two in Hardwick, and 
one in Oakham. 

At these meetings many questions were proposed for discussion 



12 FLOOD, FIRE AND TEMPEST OUTLIVED 

and essays were prepared by designated individuals upon each 
special subject. The Trustees return especial thanks for able and well 
digested essays to J. T. Ellsworth, J. H. Goddard, A. H. Holland, 
J. F. Davis, George E. Allen, Henry S. Miner, R. D. Trow, C. A. 
Gleason, P. H. Babbitt, N. Loring and P. M. Harwood. In 1880 
still more Institutes were held, mostly in adjoining towns, and the 
Trustees report unabated interest. Allusion is made to the order of 
the State Board that not less than three Institutes shall be held each 
year by Societies receiving State bounty. That number does not 
satisfy the farmers of the Worcester West." 

The practice of holding the fair two days, instead of one, began 
in 1866. 

The freshet which washed away the approaches to the Fair 
Grounds occurred Thursday night, September 25th, 1868. The ex- 
hibition hall was destroyed by an incendiary fire in January, 1873. 
A cyclone unroofed the building Sunday, September 26th, 1898; the 
Fair was held, however, September 30. 

An incident which occurred probably about 1890 is related by one 
who saw and heard it. The late U. S. Senator George F. Hoar was the 
speaker of the day. As he was examining the exhibits in the hall 
he encountered a distinguished looking gentleman who seemed to be 
an entire stranger to the officials of the Fair. Hello, Charles," quoth 
the Senator, what are you doing here?" Oh," said the stranger, 
I was born near-by in Hardwick and wanted to notice the improve- 
ments since my time." He refused a cordial invitation to join in the 
public speaking and soon modestly retired. The Senator explained 
that he was Charles Robinson of Kansas, who had distinguished 
himself as Confidential Agent of the New England Aid Society during 
the troublous times from 1854 to 1860, when the conflicts with the 
Border Ruffians and Ossawatomie Brown gave that territory the name 
of Bleeding Kansas. 

He was born in 1818, educated at Hadley and Amherst Acade- 
mies and at Amherst College; studied medicine at Woodstock, Ver- 
mont, obtained his degree of M.D. in Pittsfield in 1843; practiced in 
Belchertown, Fitchburg and Springfield until 1849, when the gold 
fever caused him to make the overland journey to California, when 
he passed through Kansas by stage coach. He edited a paper in 
Sacramento; upheld Squatter Sovereignty; took part in the riots of 1850 
and while under indictment for conspiracy and murder was elected 




GEORGE H. ELLIS, Esq., of Newton 
President, 1903-1904-1905. 



FIRST GOVERNOR OF KANSAS 13 

to the Legislature. He was released without trial and returned to 
Massachusetts in 185 2, but was shortly back in Kansas, where he became 
a leader in the Free State Movement. He was elected Governor by 
the Topeka Convention" in 1856; was arrested for treason and 
ursurpation, but acquitted by a jury. 

Three times elected territorial Governor, he was finally chosen 
the first Governor of the State of Kansas when it was admitted 
to the Union in ] 861 . After two terms as Governor he became Regent 
of the State University and was State Senator in 1872 and 1876. 
In his later book he upheld the course of John Brown. He died in 
Kansas Aug. 17, 1894. 

The reports of the Trustees shrank perceptibly year by year, on 
one occasion occupying less than a page, until in 1889 they seem to 
have been abandoned altogether and a report of the Secretary substi- 
tuted. The reports of Trustees were resumed in 1895. In 1898 
they complain of the decline in interest in the Institutes; only the 
three required by law were held and these were not well attended. 

In 1899 the Trustees and the Treasurer report the Society for the 
first time free from debt, with a substantial balance in the treasury. 
This surplus was wiped out by a single bad rain storm on the Fair day 
in 1902, and the Society was again in debt. 

One of the officers of the Society has made a curious and interest- 
ing discovery by examination of the reports and that is, that every 
fifth year the last Thursday or Friday in September is stormy. This 
condition prevailed in 1902, 1907 and 1912 and in all the intervening 
years the weather has been brilliant. We may, therefore, expect fine 
days for our Cattle Shows until 1917, when the officers had better 
look out ! 

In 1903 and 1904 the Angora goats from the Ellis farm, and in 
1907 the sheep from Col. Gaston's farm, were special features. 

In 1908 the grand stand, destroyed by fire, was rebuilt and the 
debt slightly reduced. The events of 1910 are too recent to 
require comment. The energy of James A. Rice evidently pulled the 
Society out of serious difficulties and the three latest years have been 
eminently successful. 

One feature of the early reports of transactions is worthy of com- 
ment and inspires a feeling of regret that a good old practice has 
fallen into desuetude. In the first years of the Society's activity the 
several committees appointed to judge the different classes were ex- 



14 GOOD LITERATURE IN REPORTS 

pected to make written reports stating not only the awards of pre- 
miums, but the reasons for their decisions and generally discussing 
the subject of the particular industry under consideration. To en- 
courage this practice, the Society voted annually premiums to be paid 
for the best reports and the results were many entertaining and in- 
structive papers which were published in the annual reports. 

In 1858, for example, there was an admirable report on forest 
trees signed by Dr. George Brown; in 1867 the first premium of $8 
was awarded to T. P. Root for his report on thoroughbreds, and the 
second premium of $6 to Mrs. Charles Brimblecom for her report on 
flowers; in 1868 Mrs. Edwin Woods won first on flowers and J. Addi- 
son Merriam second for his report on manures; Mrs. Brimblecom won 
first in 1869 for a paper on bread; in 1870 Edwin Woods won first 
for a report on forest trees (although there were no forest trees 
entered for competition) and Miss Mary Brimblecom got second for 
a charming paper upon art. There seems to have been a lively com- 
petition between Miss Brimblecom and her mother, for in 1873 the 
young lady came in first upon flowers, while the elder was second 
upon art and the positions were reversed in 1875. Among many 
other winners of these premiums for literary effort may be mentioned 
J. Henry Goddard (former editor of the Gazette), Addison Holland, 
Henry S. Miner, A. G. Wheelock, J. T. Ellsworth, and Miss Julia M. 
Harwood. All of these papers may be found in the printed reports 
in the Town Library and will repay perusal. The practice of paying 
premiums for reports seems to have been dropped in 1886 and since that 
date the official documents are merely statistical. 

Not the least distinguished among the many famous men who 
have visited the Fair was Woodrow Wilson, who came in 1912 at the 
invitation of President Gaston. One of the consequences of this visit 
was his election to the Presidency of the United States in November 
of that year. 

The financial affairs of the Society from the beginning up to 
date would be interesting in detail, but this paper is already too long. 
Suffice it to say that after an almost uninterrupted condition of debt, 
the Society has paid all claims and now has a comfortable balance in 
the bank with a valuable property free and clear and a prestige for 
successful and enjoyable shows which is excelled by no other of the 
thirty-three societies enjoying the bounty of the Commonwealth. 



PRESIDENTS FROM PARKHURST TO GASTON 15 

The Presidents of the Society have been 

1851-2, Dr. William Parkhurst, Petersham. 
1853, Hon. Samuel Mixter, New Braintree, 
1854-5, David Lee, Esq., Barre. 
1856, Josiah White, Esq., Petersham. 
1857-8-9, Hon. Edward Denney, Barre. 
1860-1, Hon. William Mixter, Hardwick. 
1862-3, Col. Henry Smith, Templeton. 
1864-5, Capt. Hollis Tidd, New Braintree. 
1866-7, Hon. Edward Denney, Barre. 
1868-9-1870-1, James W. Jenkins, Jr., Esq., Barre. 
1872-3, Hon. George M. Buttrick, Barre. 
1874-5-6-7, Hon. Ginery Twichell, Brookline. 
1878-9, Hon. Thomas P. Root, Barre. 
1880-1, E. C. Farnsworth, Esq., Templeton. 
1882-3, Hon. Henry S. Miner, Phillipston. 
1884-5-6, Charles A. Gleason, Esq., New Braintree. 
1887-8-9, P. Mirick Harwood, Esq., Barre. 
1890-1, William A. Warner, Esq., Hardwick. 
1892-3, Dr. Charles G. Allen, Barre. 
1894-5, Horatio Moore, Esq., New Braintree. 
1896, George Mixter, Esq., Hardwick. 
1897-8-9-1900, Austin F. Adams, Esq., Barre. 
1901-2, Jesse Allen, Esq., Oakham. 
1903-4-5, George H. Ellis, Esq., West Newton. 
1906-7-8, Joel L. Powers, Esq., Hardwick. 
1909, John L. Smith, Esq., Barre. 
1910-11, James Rice, Esq., Barre. 
1912-13-14, Col. William A. Gaston, Boston. 

The Secretaries of the Society, all of Barre, have 
been 

1851-2, Dr. Joseph N. Bates, 
1853-4-5, Edwin Woods, Esq. 
1856-1873, Charles Brimblecom, Esq. 
1874-1883, Henry J. Shattuck. 
1884-1888, Sylvester Bothwell. 
1889, George W. Cook. 



16 SECRETARIES AND TREASURERS 

1890-1906, Matthew Walker, Esq. 
1907-8-9, Daniel H. Rice. 
1910, Edward A. Brodeur. 
1911-1914, Daniel H. Rice. 

The Treasurers, all of Barre, have been 

1851-2-3, Seth Caldwell, Esq. 
1854-8, Willard Broad. 
1859-65, Edwin Woods, Esq. 
1866-7, Daniel Cummings. 

1868, Hiram Wadsworth. 

1869, J. Henry Goddard. 
1870-71, Daniel Cummings. 
1872-3, James W. Jenkins, Jr., Esq. 
1874, Sylvester Bothwell. 

1875-6, Henry E. Rice. 
1877-8, Harding Woods. • 
1879, Samuel F. Smith. 
1880-1-2, James F. Davis. 
1883-1903, Charles H. Follansby. 
1904-5, John L. Smith. 
1906-7-8, Marshall H. Bacon. 
1909-10, Edward F. Williams. 
1911-14, John S. Rice. 



Trustees of the Worcester County West 
Agricultural Society. 

From organization in 1851 to 1914. 

(All of Barre, unless otherwise stated.) 

Austin F. Adams, 1872-80-82-91. 

Charles Adams of North Brookfield, 1866-68. 

Joel M. Adams of Petersham, 1878-80-82. 

William Adams, Jr., of North Brookfield, 1858 to 1861-63-64. 

William P. Adams of Oakham, 1883-84. 

Charles E. Allen, 1895-1900 to 1907. 

Charles G. Allen, 1866. 

Clayton W. Allen, 1908 to 1912. 




AUSTIN F. ADAMS, Esq., of Barre 
President, 1897-1898-1899-1900 



TRUSTEES— ALLEN TO BOLTON 17 

Edward W. Allen, 1863. 

George E. Allen, 1862-63-65-80-82. 

Harding Allen, 1895-96-98-1901-02-03-06-09-11 to 14. 

James Allen of Oakham, 1851. 

Jesse Allen of Oakham, 1886 to 93-1906-07. 

Lewis Allen of Oakham, 1854. 

E. J. Ames, 1874. 

F. W. Amsden of Dana, 1864. 
Albert Amsden, 1856-1861-63-67. 
Collins Andrew of Petersham, 1864. 
R. S. Andrews, 1895. 

Cyrus Atwood, 1873. 

H. P. Austin of Oakham, 1880-81-82-94-96. 

George Ayres of Petersham, 1872-76-77-79-81-84-88-89-90. 

Moses O. Ayres of Oakham, 1864-67-69. 

Perley Ayres of Oakham, 1853-55-56-57-68. 

William H. Ayres of North Brookfield, 1863. 

Pliny H. Babbitt, 1873-74-81-82-85 to 89. 

Daniel H. Baker of Phillipston, 1857-58. 

Silas W. Baker of Templeton, 1856-61. 

Silas W. Baker of Phillipston, 1884-89-96. 

J. E. Barrof New Braintree, 1885-86-87-93-94-1902-03-07. 

P. W. Barr of Petersham, 1866. 

William R. Barrett, 1857-58. 

Walter A. Bassett of Petersham, 1906 to 14. 

Elhanan Bates, 1856-72-73-81. 

C. Waldo Bates of Phillipston, 1886. 

George E. Bates, 1883-84-92-93. 

Joseph N. Bates, 1853. 

Simpson E. Bates, 1866. 

Henry Boyles of Princeton, 1858-60-63. 

Edwin R. Bemis, 1879-80-81. 

John Bemis, 1854. 

James C. Bemis of Oakham, 1865. 

Silas Bemis, Jr., 1856-57-58-60-61. 

Daniel F. Bigelow of Petersham, 1883-86 to 94. 

Lucius F. Billings, 1865. 

Merrick Blanchard of Petersham, 1867-68-72-73-74. 

A. A. Bolton of Phillipston, 1874. 



18 TRUSTEES— BOND TO DAVIS 



Thomas Bond of North Brookfield, 1858. 

S. A. Bothwell, 1870-71-76-77-83. 

William Bowdoin of New Braintree, 1894. 

Charles Brimblecom, 1856-58-59-61. 

Willard Broad, 1851-56-58-59-65. 

George Brown, 1862-63-64. 

J. M. Brown of Phillipston, 1876. 

Thomas H. Brown of Hubbardston, 1851-57. 

William Browning of Hardwick, 1858. 

John Brooks, Jr., of Princeton, 1861-65-67-71. 

John Brooks of Templeton, 1882-83. 

Artemus Bryant of Petersham, 1858. 

George E. Bryant of Templeton, 1894-95. 

Nahum F. Bryant, 1851. 

Adin C. Bullard of Oakham, 1861-62-63-73-75 to 79-94 to 1901. 

E. W. Bullard, 1868-71-74. 

Charles A. Bush of North Brookfield, 1902 to 1905. 

Henry H. Bush of New Braintree, 1893. 

James A. Carruth of Phillipston, 1882. 

James H. Carruth, 1868. 

Russell Carruth of Phillipston, 1859-60. 

J. A. Carter of Petersham, 1909. 

Alberto P. Clark, 1897. 

Danforth Clark of Hubbardston, 1866-67-71 to 78-80 to 1900. 

Timothy P. Clark of North Brookfield, 1859. 

Willard Cleveland of Hardwick, 1885. 

H. H. Childs of Dana, 1895. 

William A. Childs of New Braintree, 1876. 

Edward D. Cole, 1894-95. 

Sullivan Converse of New Braintree, 1879 to 81. 

Sullivan Converse of West Brookfield, 1882 to 88. 

Clinton C. Cook, 1896. 

George W. Cook, 1887-88-96-1902. 

George W. Cox, 1906 to 09-11 to 14. 

Luther Crawford of New Braintree, 1889-1913. 

William S. Crawford of Oakham, 1897 to 1914. 

Charles Crossman of Athol, 1883 to 87-89 to 95. 

J. P. Cutting of Templeton, 1875. 

Charles W. Davis of Templeton, 1876-77. 




HON. GEORGE MARSHALL BUTTRICK, of Barre 
President, 1872-1873 



TRUSTEES— DAVIS TO HADLEY 19 

James F. Davis, 1864-73-85-86. 

John A. Dennis of Hardwick, 1895-96. 

Edward Denny, 1854 to 56. 

George B. Dewing of North Brookfield, 1861-62-65. 

Leroy Doubleday of Dana, 1898. 

Orrington N. Doubleday of Dana, 1853-62-65-66. 

E. R. Dudley of Rutland, 1883 to 88-91-92-95. 

Sylvanus Dunton of Hubbardston, 1856 to 61. 

W. J. Drenning of Gardner, 1906 to 08. 

Lucius C. Dresser of Gardner, 1895 to 1903. 

James A. Dwinnell, 1900 to 1914. 

Marshall D. Eaton, 1868-71. 

L. H. Edwards of Athol, 1888. 

George H. Ellis, 1907. 

John T. Ellsworth, 1862 to 64-67-75. 

Joseph W. Ellsworth, Jr., 1904 to 1914. 

Samuel Ellsworth, 1856. 

E. C. Farnsworth of Templeton, 1864 to 66-71-90. 
James P. Fay of Hardwick, 1897 to 1905. 
Charles H. Follansby, 1881. 

S. J. Foster of Oakham, 1895. 

James H. Gaffney of Petersham, 1894 to 1908. 

Philip Gale of Petersham, 1891 to 94-1901 to 06. 

George B. Gallond of Petersham, 1854 to 56. 

William A. Gaston, 1909 to 1911. 

Horatio Gates of Hubbardston, 1914. 

Daniel Gilbert of North Brookfield, 1883-86-89. 

Andrew Gleason of Hubbardston, 1864. 

C. A. Gleason of New Braintree, 1895-96. 

Frederick S. Gleason of Hubbardston, 1891 to 95-1901 to 05. 

Joseph P. Gleason of New Braintree, 1853-64-76 to 78-83. 

G. Goddard of Petersham, 1885. 

James A. Gorham of Dana, 1872 to 78. 

Jason Gorham, 1858. 

Josiah Goulding of Phillipston, 1853-55. 

Aaron Greenwood of Hubbardson, 1854-59-65. 

Lyman Greenwood of Hubbardson, 1862-63-67-68-70-72-73-74-76. 

F. S. Grover of Dana, 1886 to 1900. 
E. M. Hadley of Princeton, 1890. 



20 TRUSTEES— HAGAR TO JAMESON 

J. W. Hagar of Phillipston, 1866-78-85-95. 

J. Otis Hale of Hubbardston, 1866. 

Benjamin F. Hamilton of New Braintree, 1854-55-59 to 61-65-6 

Samuel S. Hamilton, 1872-73-78. 

William Hamilton of Hardwick, 1866-1875 to 1882-87 to 89-94. 

John Hancock, 1876 to 78. 

W. H. Harper, 1910 to 14. 

Daniel G. Harwood, 1S66-71-72-75 to 78-92 to 1901. 

Ethan A. Harwood of North Brookfield, 1880 to 93-1900-01. 

George N. Harwood, 1881-83 to 99. 

Henry W. Harwood, 1909. 

Peter Harwood, 1855-56. 

Peter M. Harwood, 1882-83. 

Wilcut Harwood, Jr., 1857-59-60-61-67-82. 

Lewis N. Haskell of Oakham, 1871-72. 

Mark Haskell of Oakham, 1858-59-60-63. 

Solon G. Hastings of Princeton, 1872. 

Charles E. Haven, 1904-05. 

Estes Hawes, 1865. 

John Hawes, 1910. 

E. P. Haynes, 1864-66-67. 

Samuel Haywood of Hubbardston, 1853. 

Miletus Henry, 1859 to 61-68. 

Josiah I. Henshaw of Templeton, 1891 to 96-99 to 1914. 

L. E. Hill of North Brookfield, 1874 to 79. 

J. N. Hillman of Hardwick, 1908-09. 

David D. Hilton, 1902 to 05. 

Joel B. Hinkley, 1875 to 78. 

Wilfred O. Hinkley, 1903. 

Henry Holbrook, 1865. 

J. W. Holbrook, 1866. 

Addison H. Holland, 1864-67. 

Nathaniel Holland, 1852. 

Luke Houghton, 1851. 

Thomas S. Howe, 1855. 

Henry A. Hoyt of New Braintree, 1871-72. 

Edwin C. Hunt of Oakham, 1908-09. 

James A. Jackson of Petersham, 1851-60. 

Clark Jameson, 1873-75-80-81. 




JAMES W. JENKINS, JR., Esq., of Barre 
President, 1868-1869-1870-1871 



TRUSTEES— JENKINS TO MORSE 21 

James W. Jenkins, Jr., 1857-58-61. 

H. B. Jenks of Hubbardston, 1886 to 88-92. 

Joseph Jewett of Hubbardston, 1880-81-85-90. 

A. S. Johnson, 1874-89. 

Clarence A. Johnson, 1910. 

Justice Johnson, 1862. 

N. L. Johnson of Dana, 1875-80 to 85. 

Levi Joslin of Hubbardston, 1855-60. 

George H. Kelton of Petersham, 1896. 

Charles S. Lane of New Braintree, 1909. 

Frederick Lane of New Braintree, 1891-92. 

Abiathar Lawrence, 1858 to 61. 

Artemus Lee of Templeton, 1854-61. 

David Lee, 1853-54. 

George H. Lee, 1854. 

H. W. Lincoln of Oakham, 1885. 

M. F. Lincoln of Oakham, 1904-05. 

George A. Littlefield of New Braintree, 1906. 

N. K. Lord of Templeton, 1880-81. 

Chauncey Loring, 1876-77. 

Nelson Loring, 1865 to 67-73-78 to 80. 

William Loughman, 1900-01-05-06. 

E. B. Lynde of North Brookfield, 1865. 

Charles Mandell of Hardwick, 1860-61-63-64-71-72. 

Elbridge Mandell of Hardwick, 1853. 

W. M. Mandell, 1866. 

Calvin W. Mann of Hardwick, 1865-71 to 77-83-84-86-90 to 93. 

William Marsh, 1910. 

Moses Merriam of Hubbardston, 1858. 

John Miller of Phillipston 1869-70-72-73-77-80-93. 

E. J. Miller of Phillipston, 1888-90 to 92-94. 

Henry S. Miner of Phillipston, 1871-73-75-81. 

William Mixter of New Braintree, 1851-53-54. 

William Mixter of Hardwick, 1855-56-59-60. 

William A. Mixter of Hardwick, 1856-61 to 63-66-69. 

Samuel Mixter of New Braintree, 1853. 

Horatio Moore of New Braintree, 1882 to 86-89-90-99 to 1905. 

Horatio Moore of North Brookfield, 1906 to 08. 

George E. Morse of Hubbardston, 1889-91-1906-07-08. 



22 TRUSTEES— MOWRY TO RICHARDSON 

J. W. Mowry, 1875. 

John G. Mudge of Petersham, 1856-57-59-62-75. 

Charles O. Newton of Templeton, 1872 to 74-78-79-84 to 89. 

Peter Newton of Templeton, 1868. 

Frank Nye of Oakham, 1902-03. 

James O'Brien of New Braintree, 1902 to 08. 

John O'Brien of New Braintree, 1910 to 12. 

N. W. Packard, 1907-08. 

David C. Paige of Petersham, 1863-76. 

Frazier Paige of Hardwick, 1856-61-62-64. 

William Parkhurst of Petersham, 1851. 

George L. Pierce,1865-1875. 

Henry L. Pierce, 1907 to 10. 

H. L. Pollard of New Braintree, 1897 to 1900. 

H. D. Pollard of New Braintree, 1912. 

Henry Pollard of New Braintree, 1914. 

Joel L. Powers of Hardwick, 1897 to 1900-10-11. 

Joseph W. Powers of Hardwick, 1858 to 61. 

George F. Pratt of Princeton, 1895-98 to 1900. 

Irving E. Pratt of Princeton, 1902 to 05. 

George F. Pratt, 1910 to 14. 

John Ranger of New Braintree, 1851. 

John P. Ranger of North Brookfield, 1895 to 99-1902 to 05. 

John Raymond of Hardwick, 1851. 

Joseph Reed of Princeton, 1859-66-69. 

Nathan B. Reed of Princeton, 1861-64-73 to 89-97-1900-01-04. 

George W. Reed of Hubbardston, 1862-63. 

Daniel H. Rice, 1902 to 06. 

David Rice, 1853-56 to 58. 

E. F. Rice of Rutland, 1889 to 95. 

F. D. Rice, 1874-75. 
James Rice, 1868-1880. 
James A. Rice, 1891 to 1914. 
John W. Rice, 1853-63-84. 

Justin F. Rice, 1885 to 95-97-98-1900 to 14. 

Henry E. Rice, 1864-72. 

Lemuel P. Rice, 1864. 

Samuel H. Richardson of Dana, 1851-54-55-57-59-60-64. 

C. D. Richardson of West Brookfield, 1889 to 1914. 



TRUSTEES— ROOT TO STONE 23 



Charles S. Root, 1890 to 95-98-99-1907 to 09. 

Chester Root of Hubbardston, 1912-13. 

Thomas P. Root 1862 to 64-67. 

Wilkes Ropes of Princeton, 1862. 

Elbridge Ruggles of North Brookfield, 1856. 

Charles Ruggles of Hardwick, 1857 to 59. 

Frederick Ruggles of Hardwick 1862. 

Louis H. Ruggles of Hardwick, 1895-96-1906-07. 

Moses Ruggles of Hardwick, 1867-68-78. 

Reed S. Ruggles of Hardwick, 1873-74. 

E. Warner Robinson of Hardwick, 1855-56. 

Joseph W. Robinson of Hardwick, 1857. 

William Robinson, Jr., 1853-56-57. 

William Robinson, 1875 to 77. 

William A. Robinson of Hardwick, 1908-1914. 

Courtland Sanderson of Phillipston, 1854-59-62 to 64. 

Lewis Sanderson of Petersham, 1867. 

Joseph C. Sargent of Gardner, 1905. 

George Sawyer of Phillipston 1853. 

George W. Sawyer of Templeton, 1859-60-67-68. 

Silas Sawyer of Templeton, 1853. 

Elam B. Shattuck, 1864. 

Henry J. Shattuck, 1871. 

Francis Shaw of New Braintree, 1882. 

George R. Simonds, 1907 to 12. 

Franklin Smith, 1862-63-67. 

George F. Smith, 1913-14. 

Henry Smith of Templeton, 1862-63. 

James G. Smith of Phillipston, 1880. 

J. Edwin Smith, 1862-63. 

John L. Smith, 1882 to 90-94-95-97-98-1901-02-03. 

William Smith of Templeton, 1866. 

J. F. Snow, 1872-74. 

B. W. Spooner of Petersham, 1887. 
Charles C. Spooner, 1854. 

C. M. Spooner, 1871. 
James T. Stevens, 1868-71. 

A. C. Stoddard of North Brookfield, 1906-07-09 to 14. 
Albert R. Stone, 1894-95-1900-01. 



24 TRUSTEES— STONE TO WILLIAMS 

Elbridge G. Stone of Petersham, 1899. 
William H. Stone of Petersham, 1910 to 14. 
A. C. Stowell of Petersham, 1860-61. 
William F. Tay, 1896-98-1902 to 05. 
George Thompson of New Braintree, 18S7-91. 
Moses Thompson of New Braintree, 1851-58. 
Charles S. Tidd of New Braintree, 1877 to 81. 
Hollis Tidd of New Braintree, 1864-65. 

A. E. Traver, 1910 to 14. 
Orin Trow of Hardwick, 1868. 

O. A. Turtle of Hardwick, 1911 to 14. 

Francis Twichell, Jr., of Petersham, 1853. 

James P. Utley of New Braintree, 1871-73-74-75-88. 

C. P. Vokes of Hardwick, 1885-86. 

Hiram Wadsworth, 1855 to 57-62. 

Clifton Walcott, 1909. 

Freeman Walker of North Brookfield, 1856-60-67 

Charles L. Warner of Hardwick, 1875 to 78-93-94. 

George Warner of Hardwick, 1880-87-89 to 92. 

George D. Warner of Hardwick, 1906-07. 

William A. Warner of Hardwick, 1862-80 to 84. 

B. W. Washburn, 1857 to 61-72-80-90-91. 
John H. Webb of Petersham, 1895-97. 
John H. Webb of West Brookfield 1909-10. 

J. Thomas Webb of New Braintree, 1888-90-95-96. 

Silas Wheeler of Petersham, 1862-63-65-66-73-83 to 85. 

Josiah White of Petersham, 1851-54 to 56-72. 

Elijah White of Phillipston, 1867. 

Walter White of Phillipston, 1883. 

Joseph H. Whitney of Phillipston, 1864-65. 

Lewis Whitney of Petersham, 1853-58 to 60-64. 

Charles Wilcox of New Braintree, 1872-74. 

Charles N. Winship, 1881 to 93-95-97 to 1900. 

C. C. Williams of Petersham, 1880-84. 
Elbridge Williams, 1876 to 79-83 to 90. 
F. E. Williams, 1901-02. 

Jairus Williams of Petersham, 1865-68-71-74-77-78-81-82-85-86-95. 
John D. Williams of Hubbardston, 1873-77-78. 
Luke Williams of Hubbardston, 1864. 



TRUSTEES— WILLIAMS TO WORKS 25 



Robert G. Williams, 1904 to 08-13-14. 

A. L. Woodis of North Brookfield, 1908 to 14. 

D. R. Woodis of North Brookfield, 1871 to 73-88-89. 

Edwin Woods, 1860-61 . 

Harding P. Woods, 1854-59-60. 

Loring F. Woods, 1855. 

Allen S. Woodward of Hubbardston, 1909 to 11. 

John W. Works of Templeton, 1853-55 to 60-62 to 64. 



In the sixty-four years of its existence the Society has had 
333 different Trustees. The Presidents, Vice-Presidents, Sec- 
retaries, and Treasurers have also been Trustees Ex-officiis. 

It is interesting to notice how often the office has descended 
from father to son and grandson. To have served in this capacity 
has always been a title of distinction. 

Thanks are due for valuable aid and information in prepara- 
tion of this paper to Austin F. Adams, C. H. Follansby, John 
L. Smith, Justice Matthew Walker, P. Mirick Harwood, and Hon. 
Wilfred Wheeler, Secretary of the State Board of Agriculture. 

JOSEPH E. WOODS. 

Barre, 1914. 




HARRY WORCESTER SMITH 

Master of the Grafton Hounds 

Master of Ceremonies Barre Cattle Show, 1909-10-1 1-13-14 

"Tick Tick, Every Minute Full" 



THE LAST WORD. 

Barre has always had a good printing office. Away back 
in 1820 Albert Alden was engraving maps in a building still 
standing near the Common, and he issued some colored litho- 
graphs, illustrating Bible Stories, which have become valuable 
from their rarity. The Barre Gazette celebrated its eightieth 
birthday in May, 1914, and is the fifth oldest newspaper in 

Massachusetts. 

J. E. W. 



LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 



0002^71128^ 




